Following the nullification of the August 8 elections results, one of the demands that NASAs chief Raila Odinga made was that Chiloba must leave the commission for allegedly mismanaging and rigging the August presidential election.

To ensure his departure protestors took to the streets chanting ‘Chiloba must go’ while bearing the placards ‘Chiloba must go’ in a number of the anti-IEBC protests in the country.

Despite the escalating pressure Chiloba stuck to his guns and said that he and his team were preparing for the repeat polls on October 26.

Now, it has been announced that Chiloba will not be participating in the October 26 elections as he is taking a three-week leave from his work at the commission.

As Nation reports, Chiloba took the leave as a “personal decision to be away in order to build confidence in stake holders who had complained about commission officials.”

His decision to take a leave has been viewed by some as a smokescreen to conceal the ‘rigging system that has already been put in place.’

Her are some reactions:

Tina‏ @tinaokore: Ezra Chiloba “resignation/leave” is just a smoke screen. He’s already set up rigging machinery! The whole system is compromised.

Common Sense‏ @Kommonsense7: Biggest distraction coming up is that Ezra Chiloba will resign. Rigging plan already in place. #NoOctoberElection

Philip Etale‏ @EtalePhilip: We know CHILOBA has put in place rigging infrastructure. Firing him & the likes of Kasait in the coming days won't change RAO's position

Patrick Safari‏ @patricksafariR: Chiloba thinks Kenyans are fools. Stepping aside after setting up everything ready for rigging will bring no change.#NoOctoberElection